Bladder Infection, Helping Bella with Cystitis and Struvite Crystalluria

A wonderful group of rescuers, including Lori and Erica, has been working with Bella, a young, 60 lb, mixed breed dog. Bella developed chronic neurologic problems following her spay surgery; she lacks proper nerve signals to her bladder and has urinary retention and chronic bladder infections (cystitis). Because of retention, Lori uses manual compression to help Bella urinate.

 

In an attempt to treat her chronic cystitis, Bella has been on and off antibiotics for the past year, and her current bacterial bladder infection is resistant to most medications. At this time, Bella has a bacterial bladder infection (cystitis) with blood (hematuria) and struvite crystals (crystalluria).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are seven types of bladder crystals or stones,

and each has a different cause and treatment:

·          Struvite

·          Calcium oxalate

·          Cystine

·          Silica or Silicate

·          Urate

·          Xanthine

 

Struvites, which are formed of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate, are common in dogs with bladder or kidney (pyelonephritis) infection and alkaline urine. Unlike the other crystals, struvites are not cause by diet. There is a genetic predisposition to forming struvites in Miniature Schnauzers, Bichons, and Cockers.

 

Calcium oxalates are common in male dogs with acidic urine and high sodium and oxalate diet or ethylene glycol poisoning. Breeds predisposed include Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkies, Miniature Poodles, Shih Tzus and Bichon Frises.

 

Cystine stones are a genetic problem in Chihuahua, Bassets, Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Yorkies, Irish Terriers, Newfies—especially the males.

 

Silicates are common in dogs fed kibble with corn gluten or soybean hulls. German Shepherds, Labs, and Goldens are predisposed.

 

Urates are formed from excessive protein production of uric acid. Bulldogs, Dalmatians, and dogs with liver disease (porto-systemic shunts) are predisposed to develop urates.

 

Xanthine are common in Doxys, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Himalayan cats with genetic tendency to break down protein (purines as found in liver, kidney, veal, turkey) properly.

 

Dogs with any type of bladder infection may have these symptoms:

·          Pain (dysuria)

·          Increase frequency of urination (pollakiuria)

·          Blood in the urine (hematuria)

 

Treatment for Struvite Cystitis

Although Bella has chronic cystitis, there are steps that can be taken to help:

1.     Probiotics

2.     Diet

3.     Herbs

4.     Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

5.     Acupuncture

 

1. Vaginal vestibule probiotics

Instil human-grade vaginal probiotic in vestibule. The bacteria will travel to urethra and into bladder.

·          Initial treatment, use For 7 days

·          Maintenance treatment, use every 3-4 days (twice/week)

 

2. Diet

·          Acidify urine by increasing meat & decreasing grains. Aim for pH below 7.0

·          Avoid carbs      

·          Avoid Mg containing foods

·          Increase fluids

·          Rule out the possibility of food allergy which can lead to chronic inflammation manifesting as colitis, cystitis, or skin infections (yeast dermatitis).

 

3. Western herbs

·          Make tea with the following

·          gravel root, hydrangea, stone root, corn silk will acidify urine.

·          Ratio 2:2:1:1

 

Avoid these herbs with struvites

·          Uva ursi

·          Horsetail

 

4. TCM herbal formula for chronic UTI with crystals & hematuria

Have veterinarian trained in TCM evaluate your dog for blood deficiency, damp heat, etc.

Consider

·          Urinary Support (Pang Guang Zhu Yu Tang)

·          Four Marvels (Si Miao San)

·          Liver Support (Bu Gan Tang)

·          Three Seeds Combination (San Ren Tang)

    

 

Urinary Support (Pang Guang Zhu Yu Tang) from Kan Herb treats chronic cystitis after acute phase has been cleared an dog has chronic bladder pain. Give 1-2 of 500 mg tablets per 12-15 lb (5-7 kg). Divide into two doses & give twice a day. For example, 60 lb (27 kg) receives 4-5 tab minimum to 10 tab maximum per day. If using liquid, give 0.2-0.5 ml per 5 lb body weight.

If using Urinary Support long term, give blood supporting formula, such as Liver Support (Bu Gan Tang). For chronic blood stasis & damp heat, add Four Marvels (Si Miao San). Same dosage as Pang Guang Zhu Yu Tang)

 

Once urine improves, maintain on Four Marvels if the dog has chronic damp heat manifesting as cystitis with tenesmus, stranguria, or polyuria.

 

5. Acupuncture points for dog with cystitis, acute or chronic:

·          CV 3

·          BL 28

·          SP 6

·          SP 9

·          SP 10

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